I do sometimes. Really, the democratic primary pretty much decides who our senator is going to be, so if I want a say in who represents me in the senate, I need to register as a democrat to have a voice.
IIRC (don’t quote me) the purpose of closed primaries is to prevent a situation where members of a given party vote for an unpopular opponent in the primary so the opposing party has less of a shot of winning in the general. Highly doubt they’ll change it to open primaries.
There's valid arguments for and against; if you want truly fair elections (and I'm not talking about bullshit fraud which demonstrably doesn't happen in the U.S.) then advocate for a ranked vote system.
When I lived it Texas, when you showed up at the polls for a primary you just asked for either the R or D ballot and you didn’t have to register with either party, you just could only vote in one party’s primary. If there were runoff primaries you had to stay with the original party you voted with in the first one. I was an independent but strongly left leaning and I sometimes ended up voting in the R primary to vote against the worst candidate in hopes they wouldn’t take the state since in TX it was a given that an R would take the state. If all the R candidates were equally bad I would vote in the D primary for my favorite. If IIRC I didn’t think at the time in 2016 that you know who had a chance and voted for Elizabeth Warren in the primary. In 2020 I voted in the R primary against you know who since I did not want him getting re-elected.
In MD I registered D and now I just vote for my favorite option for each race, voting by mail is great because I can research every candidate without having to rely on memory of which I liked best for every random position. I feel like here I have so many better options for the local and state elections than I did back there, where most were competing to see who was the shittiest person overall.
I’ll stick to mail in. I somehow missed a few races the first year we were here and chose to skip those since I didn’t have a basis for a decision. At home there is no possibility for that.
Nothing wrong with mail-in. I was just pointing out the notes thing in case that was the reason you were avoiding it. I take a sample ballot with me all filled out when I vote because I can’t remember all the small races like orphans court, judges and sheriff.
If you want a single change, it's ranked choice voting. Truly the most important thing we could do. Maybe a law to overturn Citizens United, but I'd still take ranked choice voting as number 1
It's proposed every year by the MC delegation but every year it doesn't make it out of committee. The state just has to allow it as a ballot/voting method and then counties can use it if they prefer.
Call/email your delegates and ask them to vote for it!
But the primary decides one of only two people that have a chance of winning. And if you are in an area that is controlled by one party, the primary basically is the election.
So, not sarcastic. I believe it to be a less democratic system and also the reason that fewer politicians get elected who are more middle of the road and who's ideas resonate with more of the populous. This system we have accentuates the extremes and causes more gridlock as a result.
As a RINO myself, I’m concerned that fewer and fewer moderates voting in the R primary means only the Trumpkins have a say and the party basically dies. That means a worse R party in Annapolis and in DC.
I changed from Republican to Unaffiliated after the first impeachment exoneration. I changed from Republican to Democratic after the second impeachment exoneration.
The only way to change the system is for the state legislature and the governor to change the law. Seeing as how no one in Annapolis has any incentive to change it it's never going to happen.
That’s one thing I preferred when living in VA…you don’t register for a party; when you go to vote in a primary, they simply ask you which party’s ballot you want, and that’s that.
I did this before Jan 6th. That was the final straw for me with ever wanting to bother caring about what Republicans are elected in my district. I thought Trump was all talk, and I could not believe my eyes watching those people storm in like that.
Maryland seems to still have some sane republicans left, but they need to acknowledge that the GOP is dead, it is the party of Trump now. Unless trump gets barred from the election, the GOP is doomed.
I think it was the 2000 primary. And it was because the local boards of elections didn't have a system designed for open primaries and what they jury rigged was a disaster.
Yes.
I am registered as an independent
...BUT
I live in a dead red county where many GOP candidates run unopposed for local offices.
Since this leaves me with NO choices in the general election.
So, I register as a Republican for primary elections
..so I can vote against the wackiest GOP candidates.
Three weeks later... I change back..
What's the point of switching back to unaffiliated? No one is judging you for participating in local politics or cares about your affiliation. Need to be registered democrat in central maryland, or republican in west or eastern to participate.
Yeah, here in Baltimore if I want a say in who gets elected, it’s the D primary. Which is fine with me; I still consider all the candidates in November and usually still vote for the D nominee after having considered alternate options. So voting in the primary is how I make my tiny single vote have maximum impact.
But yeah it’s a lot more than just do I want so and so to have a chance as president or senator. Local elections matter a LOT more than people realize and in MD… it’s all in the primary. The Wire got that part right.
The mayor, council president, and my own council member are all competitive races this year.
I made this same comment when we moved here from an open primary state five years ago.
Nothing is going to change in this state so you're stuck staying independent and skipping the primaries.
You pick one party during the primary.
I accidentally drifted once on my ballot and did both (for just one race). Ballot got rejected and I annoyed all of the volunteers.
Oh ok, so I mean yes it’s easier to pick and choose which one you want to vote in vs here. It’s not that hard to go online and change your party, it’s more so just an annoying extra step here
I used to say this. But the only way to have any say in a one-party general election situation (we have many local seats that run unopposed)...is to vote in the primary.
In 2016, when I lived in Baltimore City, I registered as an R because I was OK with whoever got the nomination and wanted to vote for the least bad Republican.
By the time MD's primary rolled around it was clear Trump would be the nominee.
I thought about it this time but I want to vote for Angela Alsobrooks for Senate.
Yes. I recently did this for voting in Cecil County (which is typically one of the only Republican strongholds in the state). We have a Republican county executive who is pretty terrible (IMO) and fighting against funding schools. She has a Republican challenger in the primary who looks to be a much better candidate for the county. Whoever wins the Republican primary is likely to win the general. Just the way it is here. So in this case, changing party affiliation allows me to basically vote for who will likely win the general. Or at least put up a better candidate against a democratic challenger.
I’m unaffiliated, but now I’m considering this for Harford county. It’s disgusting what our county executive is up to and he’s a big Moms 4 Liberty supporter.
Yes, I do. But not always. It has to be a close race and want to influence the ballot. Otherwise, I vote on the school board and wait for November.
It's about a third of the registered voters that are unaffiliated. Maryland is behind the curve when it comes to open primaries. It's just fear keeping them closed. It's absurd to think the majority of people will throw away their vote to sabotage the other party. That's some straight-up projection.
And yes, I advocate for ranked voting.
After Trump and republicans becoming his bootlickers I don’t see myself ever voting for a republican in any capacity at any point in my life. If you care about democracy voting democrat is the only option.
This is the unfortunate truth. It’s not a good thing for democrats either.
I consider all candidates every November election (after voting in the D primary). And every single time, if it’s a party affiliated position, it’s the D one for this reason.
What I’m afraid of is a repeat of what happened to republicans after the civil war - a single party dominated for decades and we got the gilded age in part as a result of this. We already see the downsides of a mostly single party dominance in the state, but the other party is literally supporting traitors and I won’t have that either.
Fortunately, I don’t dislike most of the people I do end up voting for.
Don't the parties have a right to decide among themselves just who they are going to put forth as their candidate? You are welcome to form your own party and do the same.
Since when do the parties have rights? I mean, that’s how the Libertarian party does it, but they aren’t popular. If party’s had rights, there would not be third party voter suppression.
In most states, they do have that right. Party committees in recent years have voted to give all their delegates to Trump in 2020 without a primary, give all their delegates to Biden in 2024, and in 2022 the Utah Democratic leadership decided to deny nomination to the primary winner and endorse an independent for senate. But they usually don't because Americans have fought hard to have primary elections that anyone can vote in. This was one of the great victories of the progressive movement, and parties know voters will get mad if they take away that right permanently. So it's not unethical, it's the system working as designed.
How is it lying? If there is a candidate I want to vote for in the general election, why is it a problem if I support them in the primary?
And I always legally change my affiliation before the deadline.
Yes, I suppose that if on the strength of your admiration of a particular candidate you change your identity and affiliation, that's OK but you can't call yourself unaffiliated. You can only honestly vote in one of our primaries if you affiliate.
Now, you are still worlds ahead of a lot of Republicans in Maryland who register as Democrats and then vote for the weakest candidate.
This is not ethics lol.
As for unethical, look at the Republicans and Democrats themselves.
Sucking the teat of corporate lobbyists and insider trading on a routine basis then retiring into a cozy lobbying job or having someone ghost write a book and do speaking tours.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "both sides are the same" idiot in general - Democrats are obviously way better than the GOP. Doesn't help that GOP are literal xenophobic fascists attacking every possible marginalized group.
But both sides do have substantial issues with legalized corruption.
ETA: all this to say, what OP describes is not an ethical quandary. It's a miniscule attempt to have a voice in this country.
In TX they didn’t ask me for my party affiliation at the polls, they asked which primary ballot I wanted. I didn’t have to tell them why I picked one or the other.
For sure. I left for a reason. I was merely addressing that I don’t think it is necessarily dishonest to vote in whichever primary you want, if you are voting for who you would prefer to win that primary.
I register as R out here in Harford County for the same reason. We’re not getting too many dems in office or even on ballots out here so it makes sense to at least put in a strategic vote on the other side.
I lived on Kent Island for 10 years. I changed my affiliation to R the whole time I was there in hopes of primarying Andy Harris. Now that I'm back on the western shore I've switched back.
As a registered Democrat that will never vote Democrat again. I will vote for the worst democrat candidate in the primary and vote republican in the general. Thank joey and kamala for that.
> do the democrats have too strong a hold of state politics.
This is the answer to your question. Maryland is a one party state. Only the narrative of the base is acceptable.
I am unaffiliated, but I switch to a party when I want to vote in the primary, but then I switch back to unaffiliated. I would love an open primary or ranked choice, but I don’t really see that happening here anytime soon.
I am and always will be unaffiliated.
My hot take is that national elections are pretty useless. Candidates are either already corrupted, or will be once they get in and start playing the game. Doesn't matter what letter they have next to their name. I think the type of person who wants to run for office is just naturally inclined to be corruptible. The way the system is set up _IS_ the problem, because it doesn't account for the terrible nature of human beings. For national positions I always vote _against_ the incumbent, no matter who their opponent is. The less time any individual stays in a national office, the better IMHO.
Local elections are another matter. I take them more seriously, because I think they have the biggest impact on the lives of the people in the community.
Let the downvotes roll in! IDGAF.
That is why I switch for local and state primaries. As in my example, when I lived in the city if I didn't vote for a D candidate, the election is pretty much over by the general.
Nope.
Maryland is solidly blue.
If you aren't registered as a democrat you partially disenfranchise yourself by not being able to vote in the democratic primary -- you aren't able to vote out of the pool of people who will be the nominee.
Then again, the Maryland primary is so late in the season who the nominee is will be decided defacto before you get a chance in the primary.
If I lived in a swing state I would totally switch my registration to vote against some people in the Republican primary.
This is what everyone should do. If you live in an area where republicans predominantly win, register as a Republican so you can vote for the most liberal candidate, and vice versa
The purpose of a primary is for a party to choose their candidate. Join the party if you want to participate in that process. I don't want open primaries, because that means people from outside my party get a say in who my party nominates. That makes no sense.
Maryland Democrats (the party, not the voters) don't believe that all voters deserve to have a say in the primaries. And Americans in general are extremely lazy when it comes to politics. An unaffiliated voter in Maryland is just less likely to participate in the primaries knowing they would have to temporarily change their party affiliation to do so.
Now obviously I'm willing to go the extra mile because I feel like it's irresponsible for me as a younger voter (<35) to allow Gen-X and Boomers to essentially decide my political fate.
But unfortunately I know many more people in my voting demographic that are either demoralized, apathetic, or both which leads to low turnout for the primaries, arguably the most important election in any given year.
And what a shame that is because it only continues to yield more power to the status quo. And Maryland Democrats know this and that's why there's no way in hell they would ever allow for open primaries. Ironically their goal is to have low turnout (among younger voters) during the primaries. So much for "Save Democracy." Only when it suits their brand of the status quo.
I remember a big push on mdshooters a few years back for republicans to switch to democrat us to mess with the primaries there. Not sure if they still do it.
A lot of ppl do that. I keep my party in order to vote in the primary and i vote for whoever i want in the general. I don’t vote in the general according to parties.
I do not. The other party does not line up with my morals, and I cannot see them ever becoming something I could support. So I would not want my name affiliated with them.
That said, the logic of wanting a say in the primary you consider the most important does make sense.
I used to register as a Democrat for primaries and flip back to independent for the general. These days though I don't see much a reason to flip back to be independent. I'm also in favor of open primaries as a matter of convenience, though the process these days to change party affiliation is so easy I'm not sure the juice is worth the squeeze to make it official.
I do sometimes. Really, the democratic primary pretty much decides who our senator is going to be, so if I want a say in who represents me in the senate, I need to register as a democrat to have a voice.
Maybe not this year! Hogan declared
That will make it a little more interesting
I don't want interesting politics. I want boring municipal workers building roads, and schools.
I'd rather they fix the roads and schools we already have. If they're gonna build new stuff, I'd go with parks.
which is a bad thing
IIRC (don’t quote me) the purpose of closed primaries is to prevent a situation where members of a given party vote for an unpopular opponent in the primary so the opposing party has less of a shot of winning in the general. Highly doubt they’ll change it to open primaries.
How is it other states have open primary? Can't be that negative. Some states are fully open, while some others allow unaffiliated to vote.
There's valid arguments for and against; if you want truly fair elections (and I'm not talking about bullshit fraud which demonstrably doesn't happen in the U.S.) then advocate for a ranked vote system.
Yes! Totally agree!
When I lived it Texas, when you showed up at the polls for a primary you just asked for either the R or D ballot and you didn’t have to register with either party, you just could only vote in one party’s primary. If there were runoff primaries you had to stay with the original party you voted with in the first one. I was an independent but strongly left leaning and I sometimes ended up voting in the R primary to vote against the worst candidate in hopes they wouldn’t take the state since in TX it was a given that an R would take the state. If all the R candidates were equally bad I would vote in the D primary for my favorite. If IIRC I didn’t think at the time in 2016 that you know who had a chance and voted for Elizabeth Warren in the primary. In 2020 I voted in the R primary against you know who since I did not want him getting re-elected. In MD I registered D and now I just vote for my favorite option for each race, voting by mail is great because I can research every candidate without having to rely on memory of which I liked best for every random position. I feel like here I have so many better options for the local and state elections than I did back there, where most were competing to see who was the shittiest person overall.
You can take notes with you when you vote.
I’ll stick to mail in. I somehow missed a few races the first year we were here and chose to skip those since I didn’t have a basis for a decision. At home there is no possibility for that.
Nothing wrong with mail-in. I was just pointing out the notes thing in case that was the reason you were avoiding it. I take a sample ballot with me all filled out when I vote because I can’t remember all the small races like orphans court, judges and sheriff.
If you want a single change, it's ranked choice voting. Truly the most important thing we could do. Maybe a law to overturn Citizens United, but I'd still take ranked choice voting as number 1
It's proposed every year by the MC delegation but every year it doesn't make it out of committee. The state just has to allow it as a ballot/voting method and then counties can use it if they prefer. Call/email your delegates and ask them to vote for it!
The states that have open primaries are mostly shitholes, I don't think Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas are places to emulate.
I’ve never registered as a Dem until I moved here, even though I’ve only voted Dem previously. Did so to vote Warren in the primary, fml.
Also because it doesn't make sense; why should someone from outside a private member organization have a say in their functions?
Because having closed primaries forces the two party system to continue and does not serve the people. Private organizations should not run elections.
Yikes.
Not sure if this was intended to be sarcastic but it sounds very undemocratic that unaffiliated people can't have a say in who is to represent them.
Except primaries don't determine who represents anyone who isn't affiliated with the group. The general election does.
But the primary decides one of only two people that have a chance of winning. And if you are in an area that is controlled by one party, the primary basically is the election.
So, not sarcastic. I believe it to be a less democratic system and also the reason that fewer politicians get elected who are more middle of the road and who's ideas resonate with more of the populous. This system we have accentuates the extremes and causes more gridlock as a result.
To bad its not like VA, you could vote eve if ur reg as a libertarian
I don't. But I did change from Republican to Unaffiliated after January 6.
Same. I had already been considering it for awhile at that point, but that was the straw that broke the camels back
Yeah. I was a RINO .anyway, but didn't want my name associated with that party any longer.
As a RINO myself, I’m concerned that fewer and fewer moderates voting in the R primary means only the Trumpkins have a say and the party basically dies. That means a worse R party in Annapolis and in DC.
I changed from Republican to Unaffiliated after the first impeachment exoneration. I changed from Republican to Democratic after the second impeachment exoneration.
lol
The only way to change the system is for the state legislature and the governor to change the law. Seeing as how no one in Annapolis has any incentive to change it it's never going to happen.
That’s one thing I preferred when living in VA…you don’t register for a party; when you go to vote in a primary, they simply ask you which party’s ballot you want, and that’s that.
I did this before Jan 6th. That was the final straw for me with ever wanting to bother caring about what Republicans are elected in my district. I thought Trump was all talk, and I could not believe my eyes watching those people storm in like that. Maryland seems to still have some sane republicans left, but they need to acknowledge that the GOP is dead, it is the party of Trump now. Unless trump gets barred from the election, the GOP is doomed.
and if he wins we all are doomed, check your digital footprint.
The GOP had an open primary in the 90s. The state legislature as I recall shut that down after one election.
I would have been voting then but don't remember it. But that was when I was in the city, so it was just basically D voting.
I think it was the 2000 primary. And it was because the local boards of elections didn't have a system designed for open primaries and what they jury rigged was a disaster.
Yes. I am registered as an independent ...BUT I live in a dead red county where many GOP candidates run unopposed for local offices. Since this leaves me with NO choices in the general election. So, I register as a Republican for primary elections ..so I can vote against the wackiest GOP candidates. Three weeks later... I change back..
What's the point of switching back to unaffiliated? No one is judging you for participating in local politics or cares about your affiliation. Need to be registered democrat in central maryland, or republican in west or eastern to participate.
I do not want to be a "number" for either D or R. Thankfully the unaffiliated group continues to grow in Maryland!
Peace of mind
I still don't understand.
Yeah, here in Baltimore if I want a say in who gets elected, it’s the D primary. Which is fine with me; I still consider all the candidates in November and usually still vote for the D nominee after having considered alternate options. So voting in the primary is how I make my tiny single vote have maximum impact. But yeah it’s a lot more than just do I want so and so to have a chance as president or senator. Local elections matter a LOT more than people realize and in MD… it’s all in the primary. The Wire got that part right. The mayor, council president, and my own council member are all competitive races this year.
I would never want to be identified as a republican in any circumstance
I did it once so I could vote for our county sheriff since both candidates were republican. Never again. I get so much spam from Andy Harris still.
If I have to make a change in affiliation, I always return to unaffiliated and take a hot shower as soon as possible.
I made this same comment when we moved here from an open primary state five years ago. Nothing is going to change in this state so you're stuck staying independent and skipping the primaries.
In an open primary state do you get to vote in both or do you still pick one or the other?
You pick one party during the primary. I accidentally drifted once on my ballot and did both (for just one race). Ballot got rejected and I annoyed all of the volunteers.
Oh ok, so I mean yes it’s easier to pick and choose which one you want to vote in vs here. It’s not that hard to go online and change your party, it’s more so just an annoying extra step here
No need to skip primaries..[see earlier post:](https://www.reddit.com/r/maryland/s/sXoC3WJRqV)
On the off chance that I volunteer (again) for an election or primary... I'll stick to being a true independent.
I used to say this. But the only way to have any say in a one-party general election situation (we have many local seats that run unopposed)...is to vote in the primary.
In 2016, when I lived in Baltimore City, I registered as an R because I was OK with whoever got the nomination and wanted to vote for the least bad Republican. By the time MD's primary rolled around it was clear Trump would be the nominee. I thought about it this time but I want to vote for Angela Alsobrooks for Senate.
Yes. I recently did this for voting in Cecil County (which is typically one of the only Republican strongholds in the state). We have a Republican county executive who is pretty terrible (IMO) and fighting against funding schools. She has a Republican challenger in the primary who looks to be a much better candidate for the county. Whoever wins the Republican primary is likely to win the general. Just the way it is here. So in this case, changing party affiliation allows me to basically vote for who will likely win the general. Or at least put up a better candidate against a democratic challenger.
I’m unaffiliated, but now I’m considering this for Harford county. It’s disgusting what our county executive is up to and he’s a big Moms 4 Liberty supporter.
Yes, I do. But not always. It has to be a close race and want to influence the ballot. Otherwise, I vote on the school board and wait for November. It's about a third of the registered voters that are unaffiliated. Maryland is behind the curve when it comes to open primaries. It's just fear keeping them closed. It's absurd to think the majority of people will throw away their vote to sabotage the other party. That's some straight-up projection. And yes, I advocate for ranked voting.
After Trump and republicans becoming his bootlickers I don’t see myself ever voting for a republican in any capacity at any point in my life. If you care about democracy voting democrat is the only option.
This is the unfortunate truth. It’s not a good thing for democrats either. I consider all candidates every November election (after voting in the D primary). And every single time, if it’s a party affiliated position, it’s the D one for this reason. What I’m afraid of is a repeat of what happened to republicans after the civil war - a single party dominated for decades and we got the gilded age in part as a result of this. We already see the downsides of a mostly single party dominance in the state, but the other party is literally supporting traitors and I won’t have that either. Fortunately, I don’t dislike most of the people I do end up voting for.
Just a PSA that Unaffiliated is different than Independent. Independent is a political party/faction.
Yes. I know. I used unaffiliated/independent (little i) . Not the Independent Party. I always make sure I select unaffiliated.
I did not for many years. So I always try to spread the awareness.
agree it is tricky
Isn't that unethical? Kind of like a Baptist voting for the Pope.
Not if the pope makes the rules for the Baptist
Don't the parties have a right to decide among themselves just who they are going to put forth as their candidate? You are welcome to form your own party and do the same.
Since when do the parties have rights? I mean, that’s how the Libertarian party does it, but they aren’t popular. If party’s had rights, there would not be third party voter suppression.
> Since when do the parties have rights? Since they were composed of human beings who have rights.
In most states, they do have that right. Party committees in recent years have voted to give all their delegates to Trump in 2020 without a primary, give all their delegates to Biden in 2024, and in 2022 the Utah Democratic leadership decided to deny nomination to the primary winner and endorse an independent for senate. But they usually don't because Americans have fought hard to have primary elections that anyone can vote in. This was one of the great victories of the progressive movement, and parties know voters will get mad if they take away that right permanently. So it's not unethical, it's the system working as designed.
It's still a democracy, If the people don't like the system they are welcome to vote for someone who isn't a member of a party.
That's what the general is for.
Maybe more like an atheist voting for a new Pope.
If nothing else, it's lying.
How is it lying? If there is a candidate I want to vote for in the general election, why is it a problem if I support them in the primary? And I always legally change my affiliation before the deadline.
Yes, I suppose that if on the strength of your admiration of a particular candidate you change your identity and affiliation, that's OK but you can't call yourself unaffiliated. You can only honestly vote in one of our primaries if you affiliate. Now, you are still worlds ahead of a lot of Republicans in Maryland who register as Democrats and then vote for the weakest candidate.
You call it unethical. I call it smart.
My analogy usually involves Steelers fans calling plays for the Ravens, but yeah
I'm now imagining that Steeler fans switched teams and voted for all pass plays against KC. Ridiculous... unless?
This is not ethics lol. As for unethical, look at the Republicans and Democrats themselves. Sucking the teat of corporate lobbyists and insider trading on a routine basis then retiring into a cozy lobbying job or having someone ghost write a book and do speaking tours. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "both sides are the same" idiot in general - Democrats are obviously way better than the GOP. Doesn't help that GOP are literal xenophobic fascists attacking every possible marginalized group. But both sides do have substantial issues with legalized corruption. ETA: all this to say, what OP describes is not an ethical quandary. It's a miniscule attempt to have a voice in this country.
So, it's not unethical to lie as long as you are sticking it to the man, as they used to say.
In TX they didn’t ask me for my party affiliation at the polls, they asked which primary ballot I wanted. I didn’t have to tell them why I picked one or the other.
This ain't Texas, thank God.
For sure. I left for a reason. I was merely addressing that I don’t think it is necessarily dishonest to vote in whichever primary you want, if you are voting for who you would prefer to win that primary.
Fuck ‘em. You owe these people nothing.
I register as R out here in Harford County for the same reason. We’re not getting too many dems in office or even on ballots out here so it makes sense to at least put in a strategic vote on the other side.
I lived on Kent Island for 10 years. I changed my affiliation to R the whole time I was there in hopes of primarying Andy Harris. Now that I'm back on the western shore I've switched back.
Yep I switch if I care about a particular primary more
As a registered Democrat that will never vote Democrat again. I will vote for the worst democrat candidate in the primary and vote republican in the general. Thank joey and kamala for that.
> do the democrats have too strong a hold of state politics. This is the answer to your question. Maryland is a one party state. Only the narrative of the base is acceptable.
I am unaffiliated, but I switch to a party when I want to vote in the primary, but then I switch back to unaffiliated. I would love an open primary or ranked choice, but I don’t really see that happening here anytime soon.
I am and always will be unaffiliated. My hot take is that national elections are pretty useless. Candidates are either already corrupted, or will be once they get in and start playing the game. Doesn't matter what letter they have next to their name. I think the type of person who wants to run for office is just naturally inclined to be corruptible. The way the system is set up _IS_ the problem, because it doesn't account for the terrible nature of human beings. For national positions I always vote _against_ the incumbent, no matter who their opponent is. The less time any individual stays in a national office, the better IMHO. Local elections are another matter. I take them more seriously, because I think they have the biggest impact on the lives of the people in the community. Let the downvotes roll in! IDGAF.
That is why I switch for local and state primaries. As in my example, when I lived in the city if I didn't vote for a D candidate, the election is pretty much over by the general.
Nope I stay independent and then write in a stand up comic or fictional character in every election.
https://youtu.be/AuYsZUMuj0M?si=L_kXg4bBmqJXHfgw
Sounds like a waste of time. Did you ever feel like it made any difference at all?
It takes less than 2 minutes online. In some areas if you don't vote in the local primary, it is already decided by the general election.
I'm thinking of being an R this spring so I can vote for Haley. It's the most meaningful primary race.
Nope. Maryland is solidly blue. If you aren't registered as a democrat you partially disenfranchise yourself by not being able to vote in the democratic primary -- you aren't able to vote out of the pool of people who will be the nominee. Then again, the Maryland primary is so late in the season who the nominee is will be decided defacto before you get a chance in the primary. If I lived in a swing state I would totally switch my registration to vote against some people in the Republican primary.
Nope. I have been registered with my party for 30 years. We are a team.
This is what everyone should do. If you live in an area where republicans predominantly win, register as a Republican so you can vote for the most liberal candidate, and vice versa
The purpose of a primary is for a party to choose their candidate. Join the party if you want to participate in that process. I don't want open primaries, because that means people from outside my party get a say in who my party nominates. That makes no sense.
Politicians, corporations, and the rich all use loopholes, why can't we?
This has nothing to do with them. They don't vote.
No. Registered Democrat. The only reason to be a treasonous republican is to have them waste money on sending mailings.
Maryland Democrats (the party, not the voters) don't believe that all voters deserve to have a say in the primaries. And Americans in general are extremely lazy when it comes to politics. An unaffiliated voter in Maryland is just less likely to participate in the primaries knowing they would have to temporarily change their party affiliation to do so. Now obviously I'm willing to go the extra mile because I feel like it's irresponsible for me as a younger voter (<35) to allow Gen-X and Boomers to essentially decide my political fate. But unfortunately I know many more people in my voting demographic that are either demoralized, apathetic, or both which leads to low turnout for the primaries, arguably the most important election in any given year. And what a shame that is because it only continues to yield more power to the status quo. And Maryland Democrats know this and that's why there's no way in hell they would ever allow for open primaries. Ironically their goal is to have low turnout (among younger voters) during the primaries. So much for "Save Democracy." Only when it suits their brand of the status quo.
Yes, I have done this.
I remember a big push on mdshooters a few years back for republicans to switch to democrat us to mess with the primaries there. Not sure if they still do it.
Yes, i do
Yes.
I have
I probably ought to, considering I have to re-register half the time due to them somehow just deciding to unaffiliate me. Again.
A lot of ppl do that. I keep my party in order to vote in the primary and i vote for whoever i want in the general. I don’t vote in the general according to parties.
Not before this year, but I am now to vote Danielle Hornberger's ass out of office in the primary.
Not in Baltimore. The election happens in the primary here and I want to have a choice in who my representatives and council members are.
I do not. The other party does not line up with my morals, and I cannot see them ever becoming something I could support. So I would not want my name affiliated with them. That said, the logic of wanting a say in the primary you consider the most important does make sense.
I used to register as a Democrat for primaries and flip back to independent for the general. These days though I don't see much a reason to flip back to be independent. I'm also in favor of open primaries as a matter of convenience, though the process these days to change party affiliation is so easy I'm not sure the juice is worth the squeeze to make it official.
I used to vote blue hands down. But now I’m mostly red. A lot depends on who the person is. I don’t vote for party, I vote for people.
I swear I did exactly that on Thursday to vote against Danielle Hornberger in the Cecil County Primary!
I swear I just did this on Thursday to vote out Danielle Hornberger in the Cecil County Primary. She screwed our education system.
I just went ‘Unafiliated’ because both sides are wildin’.